Leonard seals first East Lancs silverware of the season

Shaun Leonard on his way to 10-mile time-trial championship success

Cycling

Shaun Leonard won East Lancs Road Club's first trophy of the season, pipping Roy Nield to the 10-mile time-trial championship title.

The course used is the L109, which is based on the dual carriageway, Clitheroe by-pass. 

It starts at the top of the hill near Sawrey and heads South-West for five miles, then returns back to Sawrey. 

The weather was ideal for time trialling with little or no wind, conducive to fast times.

In order of start, the following times were recorded: Karen Bailey, 26:27mins; Roy Nield, 22:53mins; David Trippier, 25:15mins; David Ireland, 25:14mins; Jack Millar, 25:07mins; Alex Trippier, 25:41mins; and finally Shaun Leonard in 22:47mins.

It was always going to be a close affair between Neild and Leonard, and so it proved with only six seconds separating them at the finish. 

Nield is a prolific time trialler who usually competes in up to four events a week, and he produced an excellent time.

Leonard was equally determined to go well and he pulled out all the stops to improve his personal best time for the distance by two minutes to pip Niled to the silverware - a fantastic achievement. 

In the junior category, East Lancs' Jack Millar won the junior prize with an excellent ride. 

The overall event winner was Sam Anderton in the a rapid time of 20:40mins.

The West Pennine RC were busy last weekend because they organised their road race at Bashall Eaves, which featured Chris Green, Matt Jackson, Paul Ashworth and Alex Wiseman. A

ll the riders gave their all in a fast 55-mile race, but had to settle for places in the bunch on this occasion.